With a deep sense of gratitude, Saint Ignatius’ College Adelaide and Jesuit Education Australia announce the retirement of Professor Suzanne Le Mire as Chair of the Saint Ignatius’ College Adelaide Board at the end of April 2022. Suzanne was appointed Chair of the inaugural board in 2018, following incorporation of the College, and prior to that time she served the College community as Chair of the former College Council for three years and Chair of the Foundation board.
As an Old Scholar, a past parent of four College graduates, and in her leadership roles, Suzanne’s support of the College goes back many decades and her legacy to our community will be very rich and long-lasting. Her commitment to the mission and vision of the College has been extraordinary, and her leadership has always been faithful to this mission and vision.
Suzanne’s wise counsel, steadfast commitment and generosity will be missed in the College community. However, we are all the richer for her presence and the direction she has given. We wish Suzanne every blessing for the future as she undertakes her new role of Interim Pro Vice Chancellor, Student Learning, at the University of Adelaide.
The College Board, Jesuit Education Australia and the Province of the Society of Jesus in Australia all express our heartfelt thanks to Suzanne for her many years of devoted service and our prayers and good wishes go with her into the future.
At the same time, we are also pleased to announce that Mr Sean Keenihan has been appointed the incoming Chair of the Board of Saint Ignatius’ College Adelaide from 1 May 2022 until 29 November 2024. Mr Keenihan is the Chair of Norman Waterhouse Lawyers, a Board Director of the Australia China Business Council Ltd and the SA President of the Australia China Business Council. He is also Chair of Study Adelaide and serves on a number of other corporate and community advisory groups. He has previously had roles as Chair, South Australian Tourism Commission, National Vice President of the Australia China Business Council Ltd, South Australian Government Strategic Advisor on China, and as a Committee Member – South Australian Multicultural Education and Languages Committee. He studied Mandarin in China prior to university studies in Law and Arts at the University of Adelaide. Sean has worked as a lawyer both in Australia and internationally across a range of industries, primarily in corporate, commercial and property sectors.
As an Old Scholar, Mr Keenihan’s commitment to the College goes back many years. The eldest of four siblings who each attended the College, Mr Keenihan commenced at Saint Ignatius’ College in 1980 and graduated as Insignis in 1988. He is also a current parent of the College and parent to one Old Scholar. His daughter is College Captain for 2022 and he is heavily involved in many co-curricular and service activities across the College.
Mr Keenihan’s understanding of governance and experience in many leadership roles, together with his commitment to Ignatian service and social justice prepare him well to assume the role of College Board Chair. We congratulate and welcome Mr Keenihan to this role and wish him every encouragement in his time of leadership of the College.
Feature photo of St Ignatius College Athelstone by Minuzzo Project Management.